Capitol Artwork Gallery

Dawn at the Alamo, Henry Arthur McArdle, oil on canvas, 1905.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908) completed this monumental painting after the fire at the old limestone Capitol in 1881 destroyed an earlier version. The painting measures over eight feet tall by over thirteen feet wide and hangs in the Senate Chamber. McArdle conducted exhaustive research although the painting does not depict absolute historical fact. This painting shows celebrated Alamo defenders including David Crockett swinging "Old Betsy" in the lower right corner, the ill James Bowie using his trademark knife in the lower left corner and Commander William B. Travis being stabbed in the back in upper right corner. McArdle prided himself on the realistic grimaces and determined scowls of the soldiers from both armies.

Battle of San Jacinto, Henry Arthur McArdle, oil on canvas, 1895.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

This monumental painting hangs in the Senate Chamber and measures nine feet tall by fifteen feet wide. The painting shows the final battle of the Texas Revolution where 900 Texas soldiers defeated a much larger Mexican force. Artist Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908) conducted extensive research to depict the decisive battle where Texas won its independence. He painted many of the faces from photographs or from his memory. McArdle depicted Sam Houston waving his hat (center left) to lead the men after Mexican fire struck him and his horse. The artist designed the painting with the viewer in mind. In one fell swoop the viewer can realize the magnitude of the battle while appreciating the details such as the intricate uniforms and the billowing clouds.

Surrender of Santa Anna, William Henry Huddle, oil on canvas, 1886.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

This monumental work has been on display in the South Foyer of the Capitol since 1891. William Henry Huddle's (1847–1892) painting depicts the morning of April 22, 1836, the day after Texas' victory over Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. It shows captured Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna wearing a uniform of a private soldier in an attempt to aid his escape. Texas General Sam Houston, wounded in the battle, rests on a blanket under the oak tree with captured Mexican battle flags. The painting depicts over thirty other historical figures including famed scout Erastus (Deaf) Smith who sits with his hand behind his ear. For a complete list of individuals depicted in the painting, view the Surrender of Santa Anna identification key (PDF).

David Crockett, William Henry Huddle, oil on canvas, 1889.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

William Henry Huddle's (1847-1892) painted this larger-than-life portrait of Alamo defender David Crockett. The painting greets visitors today in the South Foyer. Crockett served as a U.S. Congressman and State Legislator from Tennessee. He traveled to Texas with friends after the Texas Revolution started in late 1835. Crockett fought and died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

Stephen F. Austin with Dog, Brand, oil on canvas, 1889.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

This monumental piece, painted in the 1820s or 1830s based upon a watercolor on ivory miniature. Known as the Anglo Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin brought the first large group of American settlers to Texas in the 1820s. The 1881 fire at the old limestone Capitol destroyed the original work. William Joel Bryan and Guy M. Bryan, Jr., nephew and grand-nephew of Austin, donated this painting to Texas. In 1899, Texans carried the painting draped in a Lone Star flag into the House of Representatives Chamber where it remains to this day.

Jim Bowie, probably George Peter Alexander Healy, oil on canvas, c. 1820s.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

In 2001, the State of Texas purchased this only known oil painting of Jim Bowie done from life. It hangs on the south wall of the House of Representatives Chamber. Bowie, who later served as joint commander at the Alamo, sat for this work in the 1820s. The book Louisiana Portraits attributes the painting to American artist George Peter Alexander Healy (1813-1894). However, Bowie's grand-nephew John S. Moore, who once owned the work, stated in a 1899 letter, "Photograph of Col. Jas. Bowie taken from his portrait painting by West." This likely referred to William Edward West (1788-1857) who painted a few portraits in New Orleans in 1818. Mamie Cardwell painted a copy of the portrait in 1891 when Moore had the original work. The copy hangs in a private office.

The Hunt, Unknown artist, oil on canvas, 1800s.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

The origins of this large painting remain a mystery. Documentation of the artist, date and place of origin do not exist. Experts believe it is likely oil on canvas, dating to the early nineteenth century, from Germany or somewhere within northern Europe. Purchased during Lieutenant Governor Allan Shivers administration (1947-1949), the work originally hung in the Lieutenant Governor's Capitol apartment. No background information came with the painting purchased from Neiman Marcus' design/home decorating division, whose records no longer exist. Diana Hobby, wife Texas Lieutenant Governor William Hobby (1973-1991), recalled the painting being located rolled up in Senate storage. Following its discovery in 1971, the painting underwent conservation and framing before being hung in the Lieutenant Governor's Office. The painting experienced significant smoke damage during the 1983 Senate fire. After undergoing extensive conservation treatment in 1985, the painting returned to the Capitol and currently hangs in a Senate Committee Room.

Capt. John Pope and Party at Artesian Well Drilling Site, Harry S. Sindall, oil on paper, 1858.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Harry S. Sindall (life dates unknown) served as the official artist for Captain John Pope's artesian well expedition in the mid-1850s. The painting, which hangs in the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room, provides a rare depiction of the founding of this important site. Pope's Well, near the Pecos River crossing of the Texas-New Mexico border, became a landmark on the famous Goodnight-Loving Cattle Trail.

Fording the Pecos River, Harry S. Sindall, oil on paper, 1858.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Harry S. Sindall (life dates unknown) served as the official artist for Captain John Pope's expedition. Pope explored the arid plains of west Texas and New Mexico between 1855 and 1858. The painting, located in the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room, is a rare example of exploratory art using the medium of oil on paper. Due to the challenging physical conditions, the majority of expedition artists had to use pencil, pen and sketch pad, or a small watercolor kit.

Watercolor of the Capitol, Elijah E. Myers, watercolor, 1881.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Capitol Architect Elijah E. Myers completed this watercolor shortly after winning the nation-wide design competition. This painting, displayed in a private office, includes many of the Capitol's recognizable features such as the dome and Goddess of Liberty. It also includes differences such as the more stylized west portico. Texas later asked Myers to revise his drawings to accommodate Texas Sunset Red Granite instead of limestone. Myers was slow to respond and his relationship with Texas officials deteriorated.

Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, Thomas Jefferson Wright, oil on canvas, 1838.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Artist Thomas Jefferson Wright (1798–1846) completed this only known portrait of Tejano leader Juan Seguin on display in the Legislative Reference Library. Tejanos, descendants of Spanish and Mexican pioneers, settled Texas beginning in the 1700s. Juan Seguin led Tejano cavalry troops at Battle of San Jacinto, accepted the Mexican surrender in San Antonio and served as Senator during the Republic of Texas.

Lorenzo De Zavala, C.E. Proctor, oil on canvas, 1901.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

This portrait of early Texas leader Lorenzo de Zavala hangs in the Senate Chamber. Zavala, a former governor of Mexico and Mexican Ambassador to France, came to Texas in 1835. He signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, helped draft the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and served as the first ad interim Vice-President of the Republic.

Barbara Jordan, Edsel Cramer, oil on canvas, 1973.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

This portrait of Barbara Jordan hangs in the Senate Chamber. In 1966, Jordan became the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate. Later she became the first African American woman from Texas to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Jordan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994.

Settlement of Austin's Colony, Henry McCardle, oil on canvas, 1875.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Artist Henry McArdle (1836-1908) intended this work to be the first in a series depicting important moments in Texas history. The painting shows Stephen F. Austin rallying Anglo colonists against the Karankawa Indians. McArdle included members of the colony including land commissioner Baron de Bastrop (left), secretary Samuel M. Williams (right) and surveyor Horatio Chriesman (at Austin's feet). The painting came to the Capitol in 1928 and hangs in the House of Representatives Chamber.

Ranger Escort West of the Pecos, Tom Lea, oil on canvas, 1965.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

Native Texan Tom Lea (1907-2001) created works in many diverse mediums. He painted murals, illustrations and portraits as well as wrote novels and historical works. This painting depicts Texas Rangers' Company C Frontier Battalion Sgt. James B. Gillett (right) and Col. George W. Baylor (left) escorting settlers to El Paso in the late 1870s. C.R. Smith commissioned the work as a gift to the State of Texas and presented it to Governor John Connally in 1965. It currently hangs in a private office of the Governor's staff.

George Washington Smyth, Thomas Flintoff, oil on canvas, 1852.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board

George Washington Wright, William Henry Huddle, oil on canvas, 1873.
Capitol Historical Artifact Collection, State Preservation Board